Carton



y 9 r R. M. DUNNING 2,442,079

CARTON Filed July 14, 1943 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. M. DUNNING May 25,1948.

CARTON Filed July 14, 1943 4 sheets-sh et s 1 r v M ||ll| i l}: w

May 25, 1948. R. M. DUNNING 2,442,079

canon Filed July 14, 1943 4 Sheets-Shee t 4 Patented May 25, 1948 CARTONRobert M. Dunning, St. Paul, Minn assignor to Waldorf Paper ProductsCompany, St. Paul, Minn a corporation of Minnesota Application July 14,1943, Serial No. 494,683

3 Claims. (Cl. 229-37) My invention relates to an improvement incartons, wherein it is desired to provide an efllcient end closure sealto protect the contents of the carton.

In cartons having the ends thereof sealed by means of overlapping glueflaps, difilculty has been experienced in providing a tight seal betweenthe flaps due to the lack of a firm support within the carton. It isusual practice to fold a pair of opposed end flaps into a common planeand to subsequently fold the remaining flaps upon the opposed flaps,adhesive being applied to hold the flaps in this relation. It has beenfound, however, that when the opposed inner flaps are moistened withadhesive they have a tendency to curve or curl inwardly, therebypreventing the remaining flaps fromsealing against a large area thereof.Furthermore, as no means is provided tosupport these opposed flaps in acominon plane, external pressure has a tendency to bend the opposedflaps inwardly, thus preventing an effective seal with theremainingflaps of the closure, q I

It is the object of the present invention to provide a means of holdingthe opposed flaps in substantially a common plane and to so supportthese flaps thatthey will not fold or bend inwardly when moistened withadhesive or when external pressure is applied thereto. As a result theseopposed flapsare normally adhered to the remaining flaps of the closureover the entire area thereof, thus providing a more effective seal.

When the inner opposed closure flaps of a container curve inwardly,thereby adhering to the remaining flaps over a relatively small area,the closure seal is somewhat ineffective, allowing sifting of thecontents through the closure. Thus when theinneropposed flaps aresupported on a substantially common plane, so that the remaining closureflaps can be adhered to the entire area thereof, this tendency for thecarton to sift is to a large extent eliminated.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a supportwithin the carton upon which the opposed end flaps of the carton mayrest when in fol ded position. The opposed flaps are accordingly held insealing position by the internal support. p

A further feature of the present invention, resides in the fact that thesupport, upon which the opposed inner end flaps of a carton aresupported, may be constructed so that no special or unusual machinery isnecessary in order to seal the carton. My flap support is designed tofold with the opposed inner end flaps of -the carton,

and accordingly the mechanism usually employed to fold the opposed endflaps can be utilized for positioning the inner support in operativeposition.

An additional feature of the present invention lies in the provision ofa carton which employs an inner support for the closure flaps of thecartonand in the construction of this inner support so that the cartonsmay be shipped in flat formation subsequent to the filling and sealingoperations. This feature is of extreme importance as no extra cost istherefore involved in the gluing of the cartonsor in shipping the same.

An additional feature of the present invention lies in the fact thatlittle extra stock is required in the formation of the flap support. Thecost of forming cartons including the inner, support istherefore butslightlygreater than the cost-.of making a carton of similar size of anyconventional form.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the provision of aninner support for the end closure flaps of a carton which is-designed.to engage both of the inner end flaps of the closure. The samesupporting means is engageable with any or all of the flaps to properlysupport the same. 1

These andother objects and novel features of my invention will be moreclearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming apart of my specificatiom.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a carton having one end thereof opento show the construction thereof.

Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1 showing the innersupport folded into operative position. v I

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the sealed box, portions thereof beingbroken away to disclose the inner supporting construction. 7 Figure 4 isa vertical section through the box, showing the means for the upper andlower ends of the carton.

Figure 5 is a died-out diagram of the blank of which the carton isformed.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing a slightly different formof construction.

Figure '7 is a perspective view of a modified form of construction ofcarton.

Figure 8 is a perspective view similar to Figure '7, portions thereofhaving been broken away with the inner support folded into operableposition.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the blank of which by a fold line '31 to aclosure panel 39.

the carton illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 is formed.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a modified form of cartonconstruction.

Figure 11 illustrates the carton of Figure 10 in partially closedcondition.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the blank of which the carton illustrated inFigures 10 and 11 is formed. g

The carton A, illustrated in Figures 1 through 5, is preferablyconstructed from a blank such as that illustrated in Figure 5. The sidepanel I of the carton is connected along a fold line H to a rear panell2. The rear panel I2 is connected along the fold line l3 to the sidepanel l4. The side panel [4 is connected by a fold line |5 to a frontpanel It. This front panel I6 is connected along the fold line I! to anoverlapping panel l9 designed to overlap the panel l6. While the panelsl2 and I6 have been designated rear and front panels, obviously thisterminology is merely illustrative, for all of the various wall panelsform a substantially tubular carton body.

An end closing flap 20 is connected to the lower edge of the panel I6along a fold line 2|. A

. closing flap 22 is connected along the lower edge of the panel l2 by afold line 23. An end flap or closing panel 24 is connected along thelower edge of the panel H by a fold line 25. Similarly a closing panel26 is connected along the lower edge of the wall |6 along a fold line21.

A supporting panel 29 is connected to the lower edge of the flap l9along a fold line 36.. The various flaps 22, 24, 26, and 29 aredisconnected except through their fold lines in the died-out formationof the carton.

The supporting panel 29 is connected along a fold line 3| which formssubstantially a continuation of the edge 32 of the overlapping flap orpanel l9, as illustrated, to a nap 33. The edge 34 of the flap 33 is atsubstantially a right angle with respect to the edge 32, or this anglemay be slightly less than ninety degree.- under certain conditions. Theangle illustrated, how-' ever, is aninety degree angle.

The side wall I9 is connected along a fold line to a top closing flap orpanel 36. The rear wall I2 is connected along its upper efie e side wallI4 is connected along its upper edge by a fold line 46 to a top closingpanel 4|. The front panel I6 is connected along, its upper edge by afold line 42 to a top closing panel 43. Similarly the overlapping wallor panel I9 is connected along its upper edge by a fold line 44 to asupporting flap 45. The various panels or flaps 36, 39, 4|, 43, and 45are disconnected except through the fold lines mentioned.

The flap 45 is provided with a tongue or flap 46 connected along an edgethereof by means of the fold line 41. The fold line 41 extends inalignment with the edge 32 of the carton blank, while the angle betweenthe edge 32 and the edge 49 of the flap 46 is substantially a rightangle, or may be slightly less than ninety degrees.

In the formation of the carton A, the carton is first formed in tubularshape so that it may be shipped flat to its destination where the cartonis to be filled and sealed. In the construction illustrated adhesive isapplied to the inner surface of the panel l9 and its foldably connectedend closing panels 26 and 36. The-carton is then folded so that theinner surface of the panel [0 engages the outer surface of the panel l9.When thus folded the panel 36 will overlie the major portion of the flapor panel fold line I! so that the panel I9 is folded fiat upon the paneli6 and subsequently folding the carton along fold line 3 so as to foldthe panel Ill onto the panel l9 as has been described.

The next step in completing the carton is to close one end thereof. Oneend of the carton may be folded over an internal mandrel so that one endof the carton may, if desired, be formed in the conventional manner. Forexample, if the carton is to be sealed over a sealing mandrel the flapsor panels 29 and 33 could be omitted, thus forming a carton which at oneend is virtually identical to the construction ordinarily employed insimple cartons of this type.

When the glued carton is folded into rectangular or tube-shape form, itwill be noted that the panel 33 lies interiorly of the panel 22,'while It the flap or panel 46 lies interiorly ofthe rear end panel or flap 39.In sealing the lower end of the carton the flaps or panels 20 and 24 arefirst folded inwardly into a common plane, this action folding the panel29 beneath the panel 26. The inward folding of thepanel 20 is restrictedby the flap 33 and in folding the panel 26 downwardly the edge 34 of theflap 33 engages the inner surface of the end wall, comprising panels I0and 9. As the angle between the edge 32 and the flap edge 34 issubstantially a right angle, it is possible for the flap 29 to foldinwardly at right angles to the side wall of the carton. Similarly theinward pivoting of the flap 24 is limited by engagement with theextremity of the flap 29, as this flap 29 projects beyond the end of theflap so as to overlie the marginal edge of the flap 24.

; for the folding operation, but after the carbon has been folded intosubstantially rectangular form. The next step in sealing the carton comprises folding the flap 36 and the attached flap 45 downwardly intothe.position illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. It will be noted thatthe flap 45 projects beyond the end of the flap 36 to engage theundersurface of the flap 4|. It will be noted from Figure 4 of thedrawings that as the flaps 36 and 45 are pivoted downwardly toward theposition illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, the edge 49 of theflap 46 will be brought against the inner surface of-the panel I 9, thusrestricting the pivotal movement of these flaps. As a result the flap 36can not pivot into the carton as it has a tendency to do when moistenedand when subjected to pressure from an external source.

After the flaps 36 and 45 have been pivoted into the positionillustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings the flap 4| is pivoted intocoplanar relation with the flap 36, the end of the flap 4| resting uponthe end of the flap 45 which projects beyond the end of the flap 36. Thesealing flaps 43 and 39' are then folded to overlie the flaps 36 and 4|and are adhered thereto in the usual manner as illustrated in Figures 3and 4 of the drawings.

In actual practice the flaps 98 and 4| may be pivoted inwardlysimultaneously, it being necessary, however, that the flap 35 be foldedslightly in advance of the flap 4I so that the flap 45 will engagebeneath the edge of the flap 4|.

If it is desired a weakened line of separation .98 may be provided at,or adjacent, the fold line 35. Because of the double thickness of stockat the fold line35, the fold along this'llne has a tendency to draw theouter lamination, or to buckle the inner lamination. While some cartonstock is capable of withstanding this tendency, the weakening line ofseparation may be provided if necessary to permit separation of theouter lamination at or adjacent the fold line.

In the foregoing description the carton A has been described as havingthepanels 20 and adhered to the exterior surface of flaps or panels "and45. While this construction is permissible with certain types of cartonstock, with other types of stock it is impractical to draw the stocksuiiiciently to fold flaps 20 and 90 in unison with flaps 29 and 45.Therefore, in some instances, it is desirable to leave the supportingpanels disconnected from the flaps which they support,

thereby permitting individual folding of the supporting flaps and theend closure flaps which they support.

The carton B. illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings, is virtuallyidentical with the carton A, with the exceptions that the supportingflaps are not connected to the end closure flaps by glue or other meansand that the supporting flaps are connected by a fold line slightlyoff-set from the fold lines connecting the closure flaps to the variouswalls so that the supporting flaps may lie interlorly of the closureflaps without stretching the stock of which the carton is constructed.

The carton B is provided with a side wall.50 foldably connected at to a.rear panel 52. The rear panel 5 2 is connected by a fold line 53 to aside panel 54, which in turn is connected along a fold line 55 to thefront panel 58. The front panel 56 is connected along a. fold line 52 tothe overlapping wall or panel 59. The construction from the fold line 56to the left end of the blank, as illustrated in Figure 6, is identicalto the corresponding portions of the construction shown in Figure 5. I

The panel 50 is connected along a fold line 00 to an end closure flap6|. The rear panel 52 is connected along its lower edge by a fold line62 to a closure panel 63. The side panel 54 is connected at its loweredge along a fold line 60 to an end closing panel 65. The front panel 56is connected along the fold line 66 to a closure panel orfiap 61. Thepanel 59 is connected along a fold line 69 to a supporting flap or panelI0. The fold line 69 is located slightly off-set inwardly of the blankfrom the aligned fold lines 60, 02, 64, and 69, so that the supportingpanel I0 will fold interlorly oflthe end closure flaps.

The panel or flap I0 is connected along a fold line II to a flap 12. Theedge 19 of the flap I2 extends at substantially a right angle withrespect to the end I4 of the carton blank.

Similar closing flaps are provided at the upper edge of the cartonblank. The panel 50 is connected along a fold line 15 to an end closingpanel 15. The panel 52 is connected along afold line 11 to an endclosing panel 19. Side panel 54 is connected along fold line 80 to anend closing panel 8|. Front panel 56 is connected along fold line 82 tothe top closing panel 83. Overlapping panel 59 is connected along foldline 04 to the carton blank. The edge 09 of the flap 00 extends atsubstantially a right angle with respect to the carton end I4.

The adhesive. indicated by the numeral 90. is

applied only to the inner surface of the panel '50 between the foldlines 00 and 15. Thus the carton may be folded in flat formation such asby folding the blank along fold lines 51 and I3 and adhering the innersurface of the panel 50 to the exterior surface of thepanel 50. Thecartons are usually shipped when in this flat formation.

The operation of sealing the carton B is identical to that described inconnection with the carton A, it being noted that the panels 10 and tolie interlorly of the opposed panels 0i and 65, and the opposed panelsI0 and ll respectively.

The supporting panels 10 and 05 are prevented from folding into thecarton by engagement of the edges I0 and 09 of the flaps I2 and 00,respectively, with the adjacent inner surface of the side wall of thecarton. The remaining flaps which are adhered together merely overliethe supporting flaps and are held in position thereby.

In Figures 7 through 9 of the drawings, I'disclose a slightly differentform of carton construction. Inthis carton, which is indicated ingeneral by the letter C, the supporting flaps which lie interlorly ofthe end sealing flaps are provided along opposite edges of the flaps,thereby more firmly securing the supporting flaps or panels.

The carton C is formed of a blank of the type illustrated in Figure 9 ofthe drawings. This blank is disclosed as having a side wall panel 9|connected along a fold line '92 to the rear wall panel 93. The rear wallpanel 93 is connected along a fold line 94 to a side wall 95, which inturn is connected by fold line 95 to the front panel 91. The front panel91 is connected along fold line 99 to the overlapping flap or panel I00which is designed to lie exterlorly of the panel 9| and to be adheredthereto.

The side panel 9-2 is connected along its lower edge by'a fold line :IOItoan end closing flap I02. This end closing flap is connected along afold line I03 to an additional supporting flap I04. The edge I05 of theflap I04 extends at substantially right angles with respect to the edgeI06 of the side panel 9i.

The rear panel 93 is connected along the fold line I01 to the closingpanel I09, and the side panel 95 is connected along the fold line IIO tothe end closing panel III. The front panel 91 is connected along itslower edge by a fold line I I2 to a, closing flap H3 and the overlappingflap the closing flap I20, which in turn is connected along a. fold lineI:2I to the supporting flap I22.

The panel 93 is connected along the fold line I23" to the closing flapI24 and the side wall 95 is connected along the fold line I 25 to theflap or panel m; The front wall 91 is connected along the v fold lineI21 to the closure panel I29and the wall I iscounec'ted along the foldline I30 to the first folded and glued in tubular formation, such as byfoldingthe carton along the fold lines 34 and 39 and adhering the outersurface of the panel 9I to the inner surface of the panel I00. Theadhesive is preferably provided on the inner surface of the panel I00 asindicated by the number I34. If desired the panels H and I3I may beadhered to the outer surface of the panels I02 and I-20, respectively.

The manner in which the upper extremity of the carton is sealed isillustrated in Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings. The flap I3I, togetherwith the flap I to which it is adhered or against which it engages, ispivoted into the position illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings, andthe flap I26 is folded along its fold line I so as to marginally engagethe projecting edge of the flap I20. The edges I and I35 of the flapsI22 and I33 are atsubstantially right angles to the ends I06 and I31 ofthe blank and therefore act to support the sealing flaps from pivotinginto edge of the overlapping panel I 41 along a fold line I12. The flapor panel "I is of the same somewhat wider than the overlapping panelI41.

A locking flange I13 is connected along a fold the interior of thecarton by limiting the pivotal movement to ninety degrees. The flap I25is marginally supported by the flap I20 and the sealing flaps I24 andI129 fold over the closing flaps and are adhered thereto.

close a modified form of carton construction illustrated in general bythe letter D. In this form of construction the carton is formed as bestillustrated in Figure 12 of the drawings, showing a panel I39 which isfoldably secured to the rear panel I40 along a fold line I. The rearpanel I40 is connected by a fold line I42 to the side panel I43. Thispanel I43 is in turn connected along the fold line I44 to the front wallpanel I45. This panel in turn is connected along the fold line I46 tothe side wall overlapping panel I41. The panel I41 is somewhat narrowerthan the panel I39 which it overlaps and a locking panel I49 isconnected thereto along the fold line I50. Thus .the panel I50 foldsinwardly from a point spaced from the innersurface of the rear 5illustrated, thus positively locking the flaps from width as the panelsI02 and I53 and is therefore line I14 to an edge of the flap'IBII. Asimilar flange I15 is connected to the flap "I along the foldline I16.These flanges I13 and I15 operate in the manner described in connectionwith the,

previous constructions by enga ing against the inner surface of the sidewall panel. I39 so as to limit inward pivoting of the flaps Ill and I60.These last mentioned flaps are somewhat longer than the flaps I5I, I52,I5I, and I53, which are preferably arranged to fold into abuttingrelationship. Thus the lockingflaps I and HI underlie pgtihias of boththe abutting flaps I5I, I52, and I In operation the overlapping panelI41 is adhered to the surface of .the side wall I39 and the lower'end ofthe container is sealed. In sealing the lower end of the container theflap III is folded inwardly by the flap I62 so that the panel I" limitsinward folding of the panels I52 and I63, the flange I15 folds betweenthe locking panel I49 and the rear wall I40, the flap "I thus beinglocked positively from folding inwardly more than a predeterminedamount.

The manner in which the top of the container is sealed is identical-tothat described. The flap I50 is folded downwardly beneath the flap iii,the flaps I5I and I52 folding into substantially coplanar relation. Theclosure flaps I55 and I55 are then folded over the previously foldedflaps I5I and I52 and are adhered thereto.

In folding from the position illustrated in Figure -10 to the positionshown in Figure 11, it is understood that the flange I13 will extendbetween the locking panel I49 and the rear wall I40 01 the container dueto the fact that a space is provided between these two elements becauseof the position of the fold line I50. As best illustrated in Figure ll,the flap I50 is positively locked from folding to a greater extent thanthat -folding inwardly.

In accordancewith the patent statutes, I have described the principlesof construction and operation of my carton, and while I have endeavoredto set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have itunderstood thatobvious changes may be made within the scope of thefollowing claims without departing from the spirit of my wall I40 so asto provide a space or opening between the locking panel I49 and the rearwall I40. Top closure flaps I5I and. I52 are connected to the upperedges of the panels I39 and I43, respectively, along fold lines I53 andI54. Closure flaps I55 and I55 are connected to the upper edges of thepanels I40 and I45 along fold lines I51 and I59. A top panel I50 isconnected along a fold line I6I to the upper edge of the overlappingpanel I41. The panel I50 is of the same width as the panels I5I and I52and is therefore somewhat wider than the overlapping panel I41.

Closure flaps I52 and I63 are connected to the 'panels I39 and I43 alongfold lines I54 and I55.

invention.

Iclaim: l. A carton comprising four rectang'ularly arranged side walls.'a' panel on one side wall overlapping an adjacent side wall and beingadhered thereto to lie inwardly thereof, a pair of op d closure flaps ontwo opposed side walls folded into coplanar relationship, closure panelson the remaining side walls folded to overlie said coplanar flaps andadhered thereto in superimposed relation, a supporting flap hingedlyconnected to said panel along a fold line parallel to and adjacent thefold line of the side wall panel overlapped,

said supporting flap being folded to lie inwardly of the closureformedby said closure flap and in surface contact with-both of said coplanarflaps, and a flap means foldably connected to an edge of said supportingflap along a line of fold .at

' substantially right angles to the line of fold connecting saidsupporting flap to said panel, said flap means having an edgeengagingthe inner surface of said supporting panel to limit inward folding ofsaid supporting flap relative to said panel. I g

2. A carton comprising four rectangularly arranged side walls, a panelsecured to one of said side walls and adhesively secured in overlappingrelation to an adjacent side wall to secure said side walls in tubularform, said panel lying inwardly of the side wall which it overlaps, apair of closure flaps secured to said overlapped wall and the opposite.wall and folded into coplanar relationship, a closure panel on aremaining side wall overlying said coplanar flaps and adhered thereto, aclosure flap on the remaining side wall folded to overlie said lastnamed closure flap and adhered thereto, a supporting flap foldablyconnected to the said panel along a line of fold parallel to andadjacent the fold line connecting the overlapping side wall to itsclosure flap, said supporting flap being folded inwardly of said opposedflaps and extending beyond the end of the closure flap issuing from theoverlapping panel and into engagement with the closure flap on theopposite side wall so as to lie inwardly of portions of both of saidopposed closure flaps, flap means 'on an edge of said supporting flapextending inwardly of a portion of the side wall next adjacent theoverlapped side wall, said flap means being connected to said supportingflap along a line of told at substantially right angles to the line offold connecting said supporting flap to said panel, and an edge on saidflap means engageable against the inner surface of the overlapped sidewall to limit inward folding of said supporting flap relative to saidpanel.v

3. A carton comprising four rectangularly arranged side walls, a panelsecured to one of said side walls and adhesively secured in overlappingrelation to an adjacent side wall to secure said side walls in tubularform, said panel lying inwardly of the side wall which it overlaps, apair of closure flaps secured to said overlapped wall and the oppositewall and folded into coplanar 10 wall overlying said coplanar flaps andadhered thereto, a closure flap on the remaining side wall folded tooverlie said last named closure flap and adhered thereto, a supportingflap foldably connected to the said panel along a line of fold parallelto and adjacent the fold line connecting the overlapping side wall toits closure flap, said supporting flap being folded inwardly of saidopposed flaps and extending beyond the end of the closure flap issuingfrom the overlapping panel and into'engagement with the closure flap onthe opposite side wall so as to lie inwardly of portions of both of saidopposed closure flaps, flap means on an edge of said supporting flapextending inwardly of a portion of the side wall next adjacent theoverlapped side well, said flap means being connected to said supportingflap along a line of fold at substantially. right angles to the line offold connecting said supporting flap to said panel, and an added panelfoldably connected to said first named panel at a point spaced from theside edges of said overlapped side wall,

relationship, a closure panel on a remaining side and lyingspaced frombut adjacent an adjacent side Well, said flap means lying between saidadded panel and said adjacent side wall.

ROBERT M. DUNNING.

REFERENCES orrEn The foliowing references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Mar.25, 1926 Number Number

